Fuel of Center City Gets Renovations, New Menu

I myself am a health-food nut. I can tell you that it makes it hard to find a place to eat out. If you live in Center City, however, there’s a dining mecca for you… and it’s about to get bigger and better. The restaurant, called Fuel, is one of four locations throughout Philadelphia. The other two are in Midtown Village, University City and Ardmore. Fuel is all about health food. It bills itself as the first cafe in America to have a full menu with every entree under 500 calories.

Fuel’s location in Center City just underwent both structural and cosmetic renovations.

The Center City outpost is undergoing renovations. Both cosmetic and structural changes are going to happen, says owner Rocco Cima. Cima is both a South Philly native and a graduate of the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College in West Philadelphia. He’s aiming to turn the location at 1225 Walnut Street, which was the second to open, into “Fuel 2.0.” Post-reno, the downstairs dining area will have room for 72 patrons at tables meant for two or four. The upstairs dining room, which used to handle lunch overflow seating, will be transformed into an area perfect for large groups or special events. “The upstairs dining room will really let us continue to be a great community partner, while giving privacy for more exclusive type of events,” he told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Changes at the Center City location of Fuel include new seating and new tables made of refinished wood, including a large community table. Walls have been removed to open up both the front and sides of the dining area. The restaurant’s color palette has been changed and custom wall dressings have been added. There’s renovated restrooms, and a new counter seating area. Cima has also brought in new, Philadelphia-centric artwork, including a Rocky mural.

The changes to Fuel Center City were unveiled this past weekend. If you like to eat healthy, you should get over there and check everything out!